Redesigned headstock for Atom

[Armando]

Hey Tom,

I'm sure I'm not the first person to throw this out there, but any chance the Atom might see a redesigned headstock some day. I'm not complaining about the standard headstock as it is my personal favorite. I'm sure this is akin to "reinventing the wheel".

[ConnemaraGuitar]

Hello, Armando.
I'm really curious about why you ask this question...is there something wrong with the current Atom headstock?

Your question is, well, puzzling: i.e., "...any chance the Atom might see a redesigned headstock some day?" followed by "I'm not complaining about the standard headstock as it is my personal favorite."

Are wheels no longer round? I must be missing something...please help me out here!

[Armando]

Since the Atom's body shape isn't the traditional "strat/tele" form, I'm just curious as to what it would look like with a "different" take on the headstock design. Me being mostly a "suped-up" strat player, I couldn't imaging a better looking headstock than the current 6-in-line design(looks great on my HDT!!).

I do like that Atom CT though! Very high "drool" factor!

[tom]

lots of people think it should have a 3 on a side headstock, four knobs and pickup rings because les pauls do. i'll tell you secret if you promise not to tell, promise? it's not a les paul. i like straight string pull and the 6 on a side does that nicely. we made the pickups different from each other and used a 5 way switch so we could get more usable sounds out of it, and the rings would get in the way of the wonderful smooth feel of the carved top blending into the chrome cover. call me crazy, but staying in tune and having the guitar feel like an extension of my body matters to me. there's plenty of people making les pauls.

[michaelomiya]

l...i'll tell you secret if you promise not to tell, promise? it's not a les paul. ...call me crazy, but staying in tune and having the guitar feel like an extension of my body matters to me. there's plenty of people making les pauls.

go supreme commander!:p

I don't know about the rest of the forum, but up until last year I was constantly 'justifying' my Atom to people. finally got fed up and said her she is - no explanations. she's one of the best sounding TAG's I've got. Still fundamental in tone (mahog's not got a lot of overtone) but more 'thud' than my Cobra.

[tom]

seriously, tons of people are making les paul copies whether they call them that or not. so if you want a les paul, get a les paul. i make and play what works for me. how a guitar feels is as important as how it sounds for me and les pauls just don't feel good to me. we won't sell zillions of atoms and that's ok with me.

[Armando]

I don't believe the Atom needs to cop the "traditional" 3-on a side headstock look either. In all honesty, I'm just curious to see an Atom with a headstock that differentiates itself from the "strat/tele" TAs but that's just me and just so we can put this post to rest, it's a TA. Nuff said.;)

[Devnor]

How about a Floyd? :p

[rockjock]

I recall seeing a couple of the VERY few Atoms w/ Floyds - If memory serves, I believe that the Atom neck angle + softer mahogany neck makes it almost incompatable with the Floyd . . .

Sound correct?

Shawn.
:)

[tom]

it's the softer mahogany neck that is the problem for a couple reasons. the guys that wanted those were never going to sell them, but of course they did.

[dave]

Hey Tom,

...any chance the Atom might see a redesigned headstock some day....

you cannot be serious......why would you want to change something that's perfect.....it's a bit like suggesting wallpapering the Sistine Chapel......???

[mbrown3]

I would actually much prefer the 3 per side tuners...but it has nothing to do with it being an LP thing. In fact, I very much like how the Atom is NOT an LP (never cared for LPs, personally). And I definitely don't want the 4 knobs...ugh. What a nightmare.

The reason I'd prefer the 3+3 is that I have big fat fingers. It's often a challenge to try to squeeze them in to the 6-inline tuners and be able to tune with the same degree of accuracy that I can with 3+3.

For me it's all about function...not about copying any other guitar's look. If anything, I think LPs should start mimicing the Atom...except for the 6 inline tuners. ;)

[Stys]

Just like the grille of a car, which identifies the brand, the headstock identifies the guitar brand. I doubt Ernie Ball will forgo the 4x2 headstock - even if one of his many endorsees request this. The PRS headstock is not going to change. All this said, the Anderson headstock and familiar 'A' is a great design that allows the consumer to identify with Tom's guitars. In addition, as a professional designer, I can say the TAG headstock is a pleasing design with great form and curves.

[mdrs]

Just like the grille of a car, which identifies the brand, the headstock identifies the guitar brand. I doubt Ernie Ball will forgo the 4x2 headstock - even if one of his many endorsees request this. The PRS headstock is not going to change. All this said, the Anderson headstock and familiar 'A' is a great design that allows the consumer to identify with Tom's guitars. In addition, as a professional designer, I can say the TAG headstock is a pleasing design with great form and curves.

Well said. I totally agree.

[mslugano]

The reason I'd prefer the 3+3 is that I have big fat fingers. It's often a challenge to try to squeeze them in to the 6-inline tuners and be able to tune with the same degree of accuracy that I can with 3+3.

WOW! Never heard anyone say this before. I can only guess your fingers are absolutely massive if they are actually effecting your ability to tune your guitar. With fingers this big, I'd think the bigger problem would be squeezing your fingers on to the fingerboard without pressing down many strings at the same time with one finger tip. :p

[ConnemaraGuitar]

You mean that isn't wallpaper on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel????

[marzzz]

it's a bit like suggesting wallpapering the Sistine Chapel......??? or putting arms on the Venus de Milo.....

[Pietro]

I also love my 3 x 3 PRS headstock... on my PRS... on my TAs, I want the TA headstock. I do sympathize with those who feel that the tuning keys would be "spread better", as it's easier to grab the tuners on my PRS, to be honest.

But... Tom... don't change a thing...

Also, isn't there something to the fact that the longer string pull on the high strings sounds different than the same guitar would with a 3 x 3.